Duties

Summary

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS (UNOFFICIAL).

This position is located in the Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, Policy and Rules Division, Spectrum Policy Branch in Washington, DC.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Serves as the senior technical engineering expert and adviser to the Branch Chief on all technical, regulatory, and other aspects of spectrum policy development and implementation by the Commission. Expert on spectrum allocations and Part 2 of the Commission's Rules; represents the Office and the Commission in meetings with industry, government representatives, and the public to determine future telecommunications trends and the effect of these trends on spectrum allocation and related matters. Coordinates and negotiates resolutions to complex engineering and policy matters with high level representatives of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Assists the branch chief in reviewing and editing rulemaking documents of other Offices and Bureaus to ensure that sound spectrum management principles are applied. Performs engineering analysis activities associated with highly complex technology. Reviews petitions and rulemaking proposals and provides technical engineering consultative services on all aspects of electromagnetic wave propagation, antenna theory and practices, and efficient utilization of the radio spectrum and related communications issues. Develops and implements improved analytical techniques, models, databases, and criteria applicable to the solution of spectrum engineering and radio propagation problems. Prepares technical engineering material covering radio frequency devices, including responses to correspondence and the development of technical reports. Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Education-Transcripts Required
• US Citizenship.
• Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Serve a probationary period of one year, if applicable.
• Must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions. Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

In Addition to the Basic Requirements:

GS-14 Specialized Experience: For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks: experience performing complex radio frequency (RF) spectrum management, and telecommunications systems studies, programs, and analyses; experience describing, clarifying, and defending technical judgments related to FCC, other government, industry, and international statutes, rules, and regulations regarding radio frequency devices; experience evaluating new technology and applications to identify and resolve operational and sharing problems regarding new and complex uses of the radio spectrum; experience reviewing, assessing, and advising on the effectiveness, technical adequacy, and suitability of the work and proposals performed by others towards resolving complicated and critical problems; experience communicating ideas, opinions, and technical information clearly, concisely, and accurately, both orally and in writing, to achieve desired results.

GS-15 Specialized Experience: For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks: experience administering and directing complex radio frequency (RF) spectrum management, and telecommunications systems studies, programs, and analyses; experience describing, clarifying, and defending technical judgments related to FCC, other government, industry, and international statutes, rules, and regulations regarding radio frequency devices; experience advising senior managers on issues (technical and economic) related to novel radio frequency technologies; experience evaluating new technology and applications to identify and resolve operational and sharing problems regarding new and complex uses of the radio spectrum; experience reviewing, assessing, and advising on the effectiveness, technical adequacy, and suitability of the work and proposals performed by others towards resolving complicated and critical problems; experience communicating ideas, opinions, and technical information clearly, concisely, and accurately, both orally and in writing, to achieve desired results; experience making presentations or leading representative groups at meetings with industry, state and federal agencies, international groups, and the general public.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Education

Degree Professional Engineering. To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/electronics-engineering-series-0855/

Please provide a copy of your college transcript. The transcript may be unofficial or photocopy at time of application, but MUST provide the original if selected.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents using the CATEGORY RATING PROCESS. All eligible applicants under Delegated Examining (DEU) will be placed in one of the following three categories:

1. Highly Qualified (Score 90-100) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of major job related competencies and possession of all evaluation criteria;
2. Fully Qualified (Score 80-89) - the applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of major job related competencies and possession of the evaluation criteria; and
3. Minimally Qualified (Score of 70-79)- the applicants possessing only the specialized experience described in the vacancy announcement.

An automated score is administered based on the on-line application process used. Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the job specific questions for this position.

Application of Veterans Preference: The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have compensable service-connected disability at least 10 percent MUST be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

A selecting official may make selection from the highest quality category ("HIGHLY QUALIFIED") provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in the same category.

Applicants under Merit Promotion will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement.

There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:

1. the core questions
2. the vacancy questions
3. supplemental documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-50, SF-15, transcripts), if applicable; and
4. your resume.

Applicants will be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions, provide supplemental documents and submit resume. For more information, please click on Rating Process.

You will be evaluated for this position on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs):

• Knowledge of the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations and the International Telecommunication Union's International Table of Frequency Allocations.
• Ability to provide technical advice in discussions and consultations in the technical standards and associated areas.
• Ability to conduct technical analysis relating to rulemakings to allocate frequency bands for the use of specific radio communication services and to provide for use of frequencies without the need for a specific license.
• Skill in generating and developing new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, on various spectrum-related issues, including complex technical matters.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

***Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received in the FCC'S Human Resources Office by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to either upload the documents or print fax coversheets to fax the documents. The fax number will be listed on this sheet. If faxing, supplemental document(s) required should be faxed separately on the fax coversheet provided. Once faxed, you should receive an email confirmation within an hour. If you do not receive an email confirmation, your fax has not been successfully received and you should fax again. If you are unable to fax the required documentation, contact the Human Resources Office at 202-418-0130 prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.***

Hardcopy Supplement Documents Required:

1. When the area of consideration is "Government-Wide" or "All U.S. Citizens." current Federal employees, including those eligible for noncompetitive transfer or reassignment, must provide a legible hardcopy of Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade along with your most recent annual performance appraisal.

2. If applying for consideration under a non-competitive appointment such as Schedule A, Excepted Service, all documentation establishing your eligibility must be provided.

3. Veterans MUST submit form DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," or an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.

4. College Transcripts (For Positive Education Required positions and if qualifying based on education and or experience and education.), if applicable.

Required Documentation for CTAP and ICTAP eligibles:

1. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation, which shows that you were declared displaced or surplus while serving as a career or career conditional competitive service employee, in tenure group 1 or 2, OR are a current or former Executive Branch agency employee in the excepted service serving on an appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, and who has been conferred noncompetitive appointment eligibility and special selection priority by statute for positions in the competitive service.

2. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other official documentation which shows the position you may be or are being separated from has the same or higher promotion potential as that of the vacancy.

Additionally for CTAP eligibles:

A copy of your Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice;

A notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area;

A Certificate of Expected Separation; your agency's certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).

Additionally for ICTAP eligibles:

A copy of your RIF separation notice, a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area;

An OPM notice that your disability annuity has been (or will be) terminated;

Certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or

Certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for a disability retirement and will receive the special OPM annuity.

A copy of a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or equivalent (not required if you are an ICTAP eligible due to compensable injury or disability retirement).

For more information on CTAP and ICTAP download a copy of The Employee's Guide to Career Transition at http://archive.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.pdf

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.